Here you'll find timely information about program, adult learning opportunities and other general news to keep you connected to GSSWT! Volunteer Connection is sent weekly every Friday. Stay in the know and keep an eye on your inbox for great Girl Scout information!

All Things Cookie

New Cookie Goods!

Be sure to stop by our Girl Scout Shop at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center (811 N. Coker Loop, San Antonio, 78216) and check out the "Cookie Booth!" While you're here, pick up an Eat Mor Cookies T-shirt for $12, Eat Mor Cookies bag for $7 and a Girls Rock hat for $8.

The 10th annual rally to kick off cookie season was held last Saturday with more than 4,500 in attendance and thrills, screams, splashes and happiness were had by all! Interactive fun during the tailgate party was provided by our five business patch partners (CPS Energy,H-E-B, SWBC, Valero Energy Corporation and Wells Fargo) and the San Antonio Rampage, and Radio Disney pumped out great jams. Girls in Motion, semi-finalists and finalists of the Girls Rock Tour performed throughout the day. Participants had the opportunity to donate to San Antonio Food Bank and ... drum roll, please! We provided 515 pounds of food -- way to go, Girl Scouts!

Thank you to everyone -- and our friends at SeaWorld San Antonio -- for making the day a splashin' success!

Seeking Delegates

GO Teams are currently seeking individuals who are interested in representing their regional area to serve as delegates for the council annual meeting.

Governance of the council is facilitated through five regional areas that are aligned with the five GO teams. Each regional area is represented by 20 delegates who speak on behalf of their region's members. Adult

volunteers or girls age 14 or older may serve as a voting delegate and are responsible for voicing the opinions and concerns of the membership. Governance of the council takes place at monthly GO Team regional meetings and at the council's annual meeting held the first Saturday of March each year.

If you would like more information or are interested in serving as a delegate, please contact your regional coordinator or GO Team Manager (contact information below) by Monday, January 28.

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas has been selected as a benefiting charity of the 2013 Texas Cavaliers River Parade (parade fun is April 22)! Girl Scout groups are eligible to receive a 20 percent discount on group ticket orders (10 ticket minimum). Have several little ones in your group? Check out sections 106, 108, 2A, 6, 8 and 9A for areas along the parade route that won't go too late past early bedtimes.

As Newtown continues to move forward in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Girl Scouts from coast to coast have offered their support, friendship and generosity to the town and to our girls.

The Trefoil Project was created by Girl Scouts of Connecticut as a way to honor the eight Girl Scout Daisies that were lost at Sandy Hook. Girl Scouts were asked to send their thoughts and well-wishes to Connecticut in the shape of a trefoil: the symbol of Girl Scouting. To this date, calls about the project, as well as trefoils, have been arriving on a daily basis since December from California, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Michigan, Texas, Thailand and more. Girl Scouts of Connecticut will continue to accept these trefoils through the month of January. Please mail to:

Hartford Service Center

c/o Trefoil Project

340 Washington Street

Hartford, CT, 06106

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is deeply touched by the nationwide support for our Newtown Girl Scouts. From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of our girls, we thank all of you.

Calling all Huggable Heroes!

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes program recognizes young leaders between the ages of eight and 18, doing extraordinary things in their communities or around the world to better the lives of others. Now through February 28, entries are being accepted for the 2013 search for Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes. Ten Huggable Heroes will each receive $10,000 which includes an educational scholarship, a donation to a charity of their choice and a mentoring scholarship to support their charitable entrepreneurships.

In celebration of the 10th birthday of its Huggable Heroes program, Build-A-Bear Workshop is joining forces with the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, one of the nation's top community service recognition programs. Each Huggable Hero will be paired with a mentor through the Jefferson Awards GLOBECHANGERS system for a year in order to develop valuable skills for writing business plans, networking and fundraising. The training and on-going support the Huggable Heroes receive from their mentors will enable these future leaders to grow personally and scale their efforts globally.

Do you know a Huggable Hero? Nominate them for this great award! Entry forms are available at all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online.

Spring 2013 Pathways Guide now available!

Do you have your Spring 2013 Pathways Guide? Download it now for a complete selection of programs, events, activities and adult learning opportunities.

Inside the guide, you'll find your step-by-step guide to registering for and attending a variety of council-sponsored activities that emphasize the flexible pathways in Girl Scouts. GSSWT staff plan and implement girl activities and adult learning opportunities throughout the council's 21-county service area to meet the needs and interests of our diverse membership.

Mobile Leadership Center seeking travelers

Do you love to travel? Enjoy meeting new people? Want to help others? The Mobile Leadership Center team is looking for volunteers to assist with upcoming travel dates.

We are looking for people who are committed to Girl Scout values, customer-service friendly and knowledgeable of the Resource Center and Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Upon your first shift with the Mobile Leadership Center, you will receive a free T-shirt! But act fast, because the Mobile Leadership Center will be hitting the road soon!

Upcoming Travel Plans:

February 4, San Antonio (East Central area)

February 5, San Antonio (East Central area)

February 6, Kerrville

February 7, Boerne

February 15 & 16, Junction & Camp Wood (overnight travel)

February 18, Atascosa

February 21, Seguin

March dates available, too!

Interested or have questions?Contact the Volunteer Resources Team at 210-349-2404/1-800-580-7247.

Forever Green

Going green? Remember, you can still participate by tracking your 2012 and 2013 Take Action projects and/or take the Forever Green Pledge. Did you take the Forever Green pledge and participate in at least one Take Action project during the 100th Anniversary celebrations in 2012? Then you're eligible to purchase the 2012 Forever Green patch! The patch is still available in the Girl Scout Shop (while supplies last, so don't delay).

The Forever Green Committee is also happy to announce the Capri Sun Pouch Brigade Contest winners! Congratulations to the troops who collected the most pouches during this contest:

First Place: Troop 44 sent in 9,436 pouches

Secon Place: Troop 3005 sent in 2,150 pouches

Third Place: Troop 1159/605 sent in 2,060 pouches

Thank you to all of the troops who participated in the Capri Sun Pouch Brigade. Together, we kept a whopping 35,785 pouches from ending up in a landfill. Everyone did a wonderful job! The top three troops will be contacted soon regarding their prizes. No matter if you sent in one or 1,000, every pouch you helped recycle did good for the environment.

Our vision is to be a high performing, girl-focused staff with the desire and skill set to provide the highest standard of support that enriches, empowers, and energizes the local Girl Scout Movement. In doing so, we create a lifetime of inspiration through Girl Scout experiences that are so relevant and inclusive every girl will want to be a part.